Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

November 4, 2024

Good morning,

Election Day is tomorrow, marking not only an important moment on the national stage but also a significant one for our local community. If you haven’t already cast your vote, we encourage you to do so – your voice is essential, and every vote matters.

In our region, voters have the opportunity to shape both national and local leadership, with decisions for president, senators, house of representatives, mayor, sheriff, city council representatives (in certain districts), and school board members. This election serves as a reminder of the importance of participation at every level, with each vote contributing to the future of both our community and country.

If you need assistance with finding polling locations, understanding voting procedures, or other election-related questions, please reach out to Bethany Tsiaras, Director of Civic Engagement and Service Learning, at btsiaras@vwu.edu.

ET CETERA

Veterans Day is observed every year on November 11, and this day has always had special meaning for me as my father served in the Second World War. With so many veterans in the Coastal Virginia community, honoring Veterans Day is a small way that we can thank those who have given so much.

I am honored to share that our guest speaker for our 2024 commemoration of Veterans Day is First Lieutenant Bobby Mazingo. Bobby, a 2021 Virginia Wesleyan graduate, distinguished himself as a natural leader both in athletics and academics. As a two-time captain of the men's lacrosse team and active member of the Student Government Association, he left a mark on campus life. While pursuing his degree, Bobby participated in Army ROTC, launching his military career.

Following graduation, he was commissioned as an Army Reserve Aviation Officer and completed training as a CH-47 Chinook pilot. Now based in Richmond, VA, Bobby balances his role as a construction project manager with his continued service in the Army Reserve. Bobby is married to Hanna Hull, Class of 2020 (B.S.) and 2021 (M.B.A.), a three-time national softball champion and NCAA record holder for career wins. They have a young son.

We look forward to Bobby’s remarks as we honor veterans on our campus and around the world during our ceremony at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, November 11, on Godwin Lawn by our Veterans Memorial. A reception will be held in the lobby of Godwin Hall immediately following.

Also, be sure to check out the VWU Military Honor Tree, which is on display in the Jane P. Batten Student Center through November 11. We invite you to come and tie a ribbon on the tree to show your heartfelt thanks and appreciation for our troops.

As a reminder, classes will be held and administrative offices will be open on Veterans Day.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time of year when we honor the culture, traditions, and achievements of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island communities. Wesleyan Engaged hosted an event on Friday to kickoff the month. Learn more about other opportunities to celebrate on campus.

Hall of Famer on Campus

It was nice to catch up with Devin Cowhey, Class of 2010 and a 2019 inductee to the VWU Athletic Hall of Fame (2006 Women’s Soccer Final Four team member), to learn more about her new role with PeopleShare, which specializes in temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct hire staffing roles in the clerical, financial, and light industrial sectors. We are pictured with Brad Sorgen, Senior Vice President of PeopleShare, and Keith Moore, Senior Vice President for VWU.

The Importance of Investing in Nontraditional Students

As the national population of traditional college-aged students (18-24) declines over the next eight years – known in higher education as “the enrollment cliff” – a parallel reality is also coming into focus: non-traditional students are attending college with increasing frequency. I am pleased to share the most recent column I co-authored for Enrollment Manager on this topic. Read more.

VWU Recognized Among 2024 Hampton Roads Civic 50

We are proud to share that Virginia Wesleyan has been recognized once again as a Civic 50 honoree. The Civic 50 Hampton Roads is an initiative of Points of Light in partnership with VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads, designed to recognize and celebrate the 50 most community-minded companies in Hampton Roads, setting the bar for civic engagement and serves as a guiding light for companies committed to making a positive social impact in their community and within their organizations.

The award is being accepted by Bethany Tsiaras, Director of Civic Engagement and Service Learning, and Kayleigh Poggioli, Assistant to the Senior Vice President. Congratulations to all involved in making VWU a place of impact on campus and beyond.

Casino Groundbreaking in Norfolk

I was delighted to be a part of the groundbreaking celebration of the new Norfolk casino with my good friend Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander and Keith Smith, President and CEO of Boyd Gaming Corporation. Learn more about the event and the construction of the casino from 13NewsNow.

Port of Virginia Receives Federal Funding to Accelerate Plan for Carbon-Neutrality by 2040

As an institution deeply committed to environmental stewardship and education, Virginia Wesleyan celebrates the recent announcement of $380 million in federal funding for the Port of Virginia. This funding, granted through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program under the Inflation Reduction Act, is set to accelerate the Port’s objective to become carbon-neutral by 2040. Read more from WHRO.

TowneBank Foundation Fall Extravaganza

I am grateful to Bob Aston (TowneBank Founder/Executive Chairman) for such an enjoyable evening at the Fall Extravaganza in support of the TowneBank Foundation. This year, they raised $625,000 to help fund local charities. Since the first Fall Extravaganza in 2004, the TowneBank Foundation has raised more than $5 million for worthy causes.

Pictured: Bob Aston and Joel Rubin; U.S. Congresswoman Jen Kiggans, Keith Moore (VWU Senior Vice President) and Jason Seward (VWU Associate Vice President); U.S. Senator Tim Kaine and U.S. Congressman Bobby Scott; and George Birdsong, CEO/Birdsong Peanuts & VWU Trustee Emeritus.

Virginia MOCA Gallery and Gift Shop Featured in Inside Business

Inside Business recently featured one of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art’s newest tenants, Thank You Gallery, which sells works from internationally-acclaimed artists and also offers a gift shop filled with unique products. It also sells apparel, one-of-a-kind archival prints, and other collector’s items from featured artists. Seen here is Eric Wiggins, co-owner of Thank You Gallery. Read more.

Nominate a Deserving Student for The Mavis McKenley ’11 Award

Each year, Virginia Wesleyan presents an award on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to a student who practices the ideals set forth by Dr. King—courage and conviction in valuing differences, commitment to seeing beyond borders by building inclusion, compassion for humanity, and/or commitment to social change. In 2021, the award was named The Mavis McKenley ’11 Award in honor of our esteemed graduate and Trustee. Nominations can be submitted to Wesleyan Engaged via google form by December 1, 2024.

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

A Virginia Wesleyan University Community